Ahenakew’s apology rings hollow

Ahenakew apologized… sort of:

In an emotional appearance Tuesday, Ahenakew apologized to the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors and their families.

“I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused you,” he said. He also apologized to his own people.

“I have clearly embarrassed our people. I admit my own stubbornness, my pigheadedness and my own personal embarrassment prevented me from coming forward immediately to do the right thing in light of what I have caused by such irresponsible and painful comments,” he said.

Sorry, but in a case like this, that just don’t cut it. What’s more likely to be a true expression of how he feels? The disgusting racist comments he made in anger? Or a carefully-crafted apology after nearly five days of media pressure?

For a man like this to be a member of the Order of Canada is a disgrace. He resigned from all his political positions within the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, but even during his apology speech he still opted to wear his Order of Canada pin on his lapel. What does that say about Canada? What does that say about us as Canadians? He should be stripped of the Order immediately.